NEW DATA: Gladstone remains a 'hotspot' for air pollution

NEW DATA from the National Pollutant Inventory shows Gladstone's fine particle emissions remain at concerningly high levels, according to environmental researchers.

The data relies on self-reporting by pollutant emitters but remains the most comprehensive record of air pollution available.

Sulfur dioxide emissions from Gladstone Power Station increased by 7 per cent from 2015-16 to 2016-17, totalling 24.4 million kg, though the station's PM2.5 fine particle (coal dust) emissions fell by two per cent to just under 50,000kg.

The city's largest contributor by far of PM2.5 particles remained Boyne Smelters Limited at 360,000kg, though this was a nine per cent drop on the previous year.

Fine particle emissions from the Callide A and B power stations in Biloela increased by 7 per cent to 323,000kg.

The biggest new sources of air pollution in Gladstone were the three LNG plants on Curtis Island, which contributed 6.1 million kg of oxides of nitrogen to the atmosphere - 13 per cent of the city's total emissions according to analysis by Environmental Justice Australia researcher Dr James Whelan.

Dr Whelan said Gladstone remained a "hotspot" for air pollution, along with Newcastle and the Latrobe Valley, and the figures strengthened his group's calls for the Federal Government to be given the authority to strictly enforce air quality standards like the EPA has in the United States.

"This is an overburdened air shed," he said, echoing comments from Gladstone Conservation Council coordinator Anna Hitchcock.

"It's not your typical environment. If you saw increases (in the United States) like we've seen in Gladstone, the EPA would intervene."

Gladstone Industry Leadership Group chief executive Patrick Hastings said Gladstone's major industrial companies were focused on working with the community through live data monitoring of air quality and open dialogue about their operations.